TGS 2000: Dance Summit 2001: Bust A Move Hands-On

Unlike the first two games, where you merely danced against one opponent and hoped for the best, Dance Summit 2001: Bust A Move puts four dancers onscreen. The game starts by offering you the option of controlling different dance teams, as well as specific team members. Then the music starts, and like Parappa the Rapper, you're given one measure to look at your next move, which you execute in the following measure. But some strings of button and D-pad commands end up in a box marked "free" - from which you may choose any of the controller's four buttons. Each of your three opponents also picks a button for the free spot, and the various matchups have different effects. If three characters pick one button, and the fourth picks a different button, the odd man out gets a little private dancing time, which results in bonus points. If the characters pair off, and two dancers pick one symbol and the other two pick two different symbols, the two matching characters are rewarded with some paired-up moves. If all four characters agree on the same button, all four characters are treated to some bonus steps. This system keeps the dancing interesting, particularly in the game's multiplayer mode.

The characters look solid and move very smoothly, and the lush backgrounds are pretty impressive, ranging from a jungle setting to an arcade, complete with wild background graphical effects. The music is quite catchy, though it didn't seem to have the humor value that some of the songs in the first game possessed.

Dance Summit 2001: Bust A Move is scheduled to ship in early November.